You've been laid off. How do you make the most of your network to find job opportunities?

In leveraging my network after being laid off, I'll inform contacts of my situation and update my LinkedIn profile to signal my availability. I'll reach out to connections for informational interviews, seeking advice and potential leads. Participating in industry events, online forums, and alumni networks can expand my reach. I'll express gratitude, maintain professionalism, and offer assistance in return, fostering mutually beneficial relationships while actively seeking new job opportunities.

A few things I found helpful when I started looking was to create a few variations of my resume to target slightly different roles I was qualified and interested in, and then went to work. I quickly learned a good bio also helped people know me better. Then I posted about an orbit of connected topics I felt uniquely able to weigh in on or that I could answer at the top 10% of LinkedIn talent. Further, I lit up a free version of canva and got very good, very quickly, at short story telling. It's served me well now, and back then. It worked so well in fact, I met fantastic people along the way and we're building a technology to replace bios and read me's. A link.tree for professionals!

Add relevant and latest keywords related to your profile in about us section of linkedin Connect with different market leaders

To leverage your network after being laid off: Reach out: Inform your contacts about your situation and express interest in new opportunities. Seek referrals: Ask for introductions to hiring managers or recruiters within your network. Attend events: Participate in industry events, webinars, or networking groups to expand your connections. Utilize social media: Engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn to showcase your expertise and seek job leads. Offer help: Offer assistance to others in your network, as reciprocity can lead to new opportunities.

Some basic and mandatory steps- Update your LinkedIn profile and reach out to former colleagues & industry contacts, Attend B2B marketing events (online/offline) to network and learn, Strengthen your profile with endorsements & showcase your expertise. This proactive approach will open doors to new opportunities!

I create a spreadsheet of friends and colleagues I communicate with on email and LinkedIn connections. As I message either way I will put down the date in my spreadsheet. And I will mark those I have a 'real' connection with. Generally we have a lot of LinkedIn connections and a lot we don't really know. That's fine. They can still be very helpful. But I'll mark those I really know, former colleagues, friends, and others I've interacted with. Those are the ones I reach out to first.

?? Examine Your Network of Support! Explore your network to identify important contacts in your sector or preferred field. People you know can lead to unexpected opportunities! Gold nuggets in your job search treasure quest are quality connections.

This is such an important point. The best way to network is to take a 'give, give'give' approach. In your outreach, make sure you include 'what's in it for them' or some sort of value.

I reach out to my network of contacts every 2 or 3 years with a general check in. On email I respond to the last email they sent me. On LinkedIn to the last message they sent. I send individual, personalized emails to all. It takes a couple days as it's hundreds. But it's worth it IMO. If I haven't communicated for many years I do NOT make the first email an ask about job opportunities. I ask how they're doing, refer to anything in our last email exchange or LI message exchange. I let them talk about themselves. Most will include an ask of me as to what's going on with me. If they do, that's when I'll say a couple general things and include a mention that I'm looking for a new opportunity with a sentence or two with specifics.

?? Write Customized Notes!? Make sure your outreach communications are specific to each contact by highlighting shared interests or previous work together. Genuineness is a great way to start a conversation.?Sincerity and respect for one another are the foundation of true connections.

Exactly. In generally, people don't appreciate that the first time you talk or email or LinkedIn message them in years is you wanting something. Take the time periodically to reach out, see what's going on with them, how you might help them. When you need something you're more likely to get help.

?? Foster Deeply Important Relationships! Maintain the conversation by checking in frequently, sending congrats, or lending a helping hand when you can. Similar to plants, relationships require care to thrive. Consistent participation creates bonds that last a lifetime.

I've helped 5 random people find a job last month. They connected and openly shared they were laid off and looking around. Nothing pushy, just a statement and open to talk to anybody looking for their profile. I have a portfolio of investments - some still hiring - and a handful of Slack communities with private job boards. It takes 10 minutes to browse the job channels and see if there's anything relevant. Don't be afraid to ask. As long as you're not pushy and being humble, it's a numbers game.

When I quit my job 18 months ago, I tried finding VP of marketing roles and it was awful. If there's one thing I wish I did early on, that would be to start posting on LinkedIn before I quit. That way I could have built a brand and found it easier to transition into a consultant and have some relationships I could leverage for my next role. So if you haven't started now, create content to build your LinkedIn network.

Tap into your college or university alumni network. These associations often offer job boards, networking events, and mentoring programs, providing valuable opportunities to connect with professionals in your field. Consider volunteering or freelancing in your field to gain experience, expand your network, and potentially open doors to full-time job opportunities. Many organizations highly value candidates with relevant volunteer or freelance experience.

?? Discover New Horizons! To expand your network, look for alumni networks, industry associations, or online gatherings. New relationships open up new possibilities and viewpoints.?When you venture outside of your comfort zone and pursue new opportunities, you can grow.

I like to give to my network with no expectation of anything in return. It feels great to do that. Then when I need something I will get the same in return. But it does take persistence. People have lots going on. They may want to help you but five minutes after they hear from you something urgent grabs their attention. Then they forget. Be persistent but in a reasonable way - not a pest.

Utilize Online Platforms by exploring job search websites, niche job boards, and social media platforms beyond LinkedIn to discover job opportunities. Join relevant online communities and engage with industry-specific hashtags to stay informed about job openings and networking events.

For me and for many, job hunting is somewhere below "torture" on the fun list. But I liken it to a treasure hunt. There are lots of treasure chests out there for you to find and pursue. Sometimes you don't have the key and never know what's inside. Sometimes nothing is inside. Sometimes what's inside is good but not good for you. But...sometimes if you keep trying to open enough chests, it's good for you. It's tough but keeping a positive attitude is hugely important. In interviews, in email messages, in cover letters, it comes through. People are drawn to that, not desperation or negativity. You can do it!

Know that people are in your corner and want to help you. Nearly everyone experiences a layoff in their career at some point! If you haven't talked to someone for awhile, but they are in your network, don't hesitate to reach out. They may not be able to do anything for you; however, in my experience, they likely have someone that they can connect you with to help.